Beam mounted attaching device



1969 w. R. EVERSON 3,459,399.

BEAM MOUNTED ATTACHING DEVICE 3 sheetsrsheet 1 Filed Jan. 16. 1967mvsmon I William R. Everson ATTORNEY) Aug. 5, 1969 w. R. EVERSON BEAMMOUNTED ATTACHING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 16, 1967 a i nHJOUAq 9 a lmmli HHOU FIG. 6.

INVENTOR William R. Everson ATTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl.248-343 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE I disclose support meansfor securing an item to a flanged bar, comprising a panel member havinga lanced tab and a lanced loop integrally formed therewith in spacedjuxtaposition to lie generally on opposite sides of said bar, saidlanced loop and said lanced loop and said lanced tab being spaced fromadjacent surfaces of said panel member, a slide member inserted betweensaid loop and said panel member and positioned for movement toward andaway from said lanced tab, said slide member being movable to a positionof overlapping engagement with an adjacent bar flange, said tab beingengageable with a bar flange on the opposite side of said bar relativeto said slide member, and fastening means for securing said slide memberto said lanced loop when so engaged to prevent disengagement of saidslide memher from said adjacent bar flange.

The present invention relates to a quick-attach support means forsecurance to a T-bar or similar component of a supporting grid structurefor securing articles to a suspended ceiling, and more particularly toan elongated light fixture and the like having such quick-attach meansformed integrally therewith.

There are presently available a variety of clamps, brackets, etc. forinstalling elongated items such as pipes, drapery rods, electricalbusways and lighting fixtures to the T-bars or other supporting elementsof the grid utilized for a suspended or false ceiling structure. In allof such securing or supporting hardware, however, the clamps or bracketelements are unduly complicated and are therefore difficult to installand unsightly in appearance when installed. In the case of elongatedlight fixtures such as four and eight feet fiourescent type fixtures thenature of the available supporting and suspending hardware have requiredat least two workmen to make the installation. In most cases theavailable supporting hardware for the light fixtures can only be usedfor mounting the light fixtures in the plenum chamber between thesuspending ceiling and the actual ceiling, Although this arrangement issatisfactory for many applications, specifically constructed,translucent or prismatic panels must be mounted in the suspended ceilingbeneath the light fixtures.

Insofar as is known there is no available hardware for quickly andeasily attaching light fixtures or other elongated items to the exposedsurface of the ceiling, and more importantly there is no such bracket,support or the like available which would permit such installation by asingle workman. By the same token there is no light fix- 3,459,399Patented Aug. 5, 1969 ture available having means formed integrally withthe reflector or ballast trough structure thereof for attaching thelight fixture directly to the T-bars or the like of the ceiling gridwithout the use of external hardware. Moreover, insofar as is knownthere is no presently available external hardware such as mountingclamps or brackets which can secure any elongated item such as lightfixtures, pipes, electrical busways or drapery rods substantiallyflushly against the exposed surface of the suspended ceiling. Rather,presently available external hardware leaves unsightly spaces betweenthese items and the ceiling surface, which spaces particularly in thecase of light fixtures considerably diminishes the otherwise pleasingappearance thereof.

As pointed out previously such external hardware as is available notonly undesirably spaces the light fixture or other item from the ceilingsurface but also requires two or more workmen to install the fixtures,owing to the relatively large numbers of component parts of the externalhardware and the impossibility of manipulating the same with one handwhile holding the fixture with the other. The use of separate orexternal hardware doubles the installation time, in the case of lightfixtures, as external brackets must first be secured to the ceilinggrid, and then the fixture to the supporting bracket. Moreover, thenature of such hardware frequently makes it difficult to tighten theinstallation securely against potential loosening by the vibration orthe like imparted to the ceiling structure or the like.

I overcome these problems of the prior art by providing a light fixture,electrical busway, or the like with means formed substantiallyintegrally with the light fixture for )securing the fixture to theT-bars or the like of the suspended ceiling arrangement. Part of suchsupporting means are formed for temporarily but securely engaging theT-bar until the remainder of the securing means can be manipulated tosecure the fixture permanently to the T-bar. This arrangement is highlyadvantageous in that a single workman can initially suspend the lightfixture from the T-bar and then securely clamp the light fixture to theT-bar without the aid of a fellow workman.

This arrangement also is highly advantageous, when assemblying a numberof light fixtures in a row or ribbon of such fixtures, in thatsuccessive fixtures can be initially and temporarily suspended from theT-bar and then pushed longitudinally against the preceding fixture inthe row of fixtures in order to secure the desired close fit betweenindividual fixtures of the row. In addition the disposition of theintegral means on the light fixture provides inherent alignment of theindividual fixture with the T-bar or the like, when the securing meansare tightened so that the row of fixtures can be aligned perfectly withthe T-bar and with the usual exposed supporting grid arrangement of thesuspended ceiling.

Installation time and labor is further reduced bythe eliminating ofnecessary securing of the external brackets or hardware to the ceilinggrid followed by securing the fixtures to the brackets.

It will be evident as this description proceeds that the securing andsuspended means, which are described here in primarily in connectionwith light fixtures, can be formed integrally with other elongated itemssuch as electrical busways for securance thereof to the supporting gridin a similar manner. Alternatively, I contemplate the provision of mynovel suspending means on a separate brackat on which conventionalsupporting hooks can be additionally provided for supporting pipes,drapery rods and the like. When so provided, the quick-attach feature,which eliminates the use of tools, considerably reduces installationtime as compared to known forms of support brackets for this purpose.Moreover, by support means, whether provided on a separate bracket or asa substantially integral part of a fixture permits the bracket fixtureto be mounted fiushly against the ceiling and eliminates unsightly gapstherebetween.

I attain these desirable objects and features of my invention byproviding support means for securing an item to a flanged bar and thelike, said support means comprising a panel member having at least onelanced tab integrally formed therewith and displaced from the adjacentsurface of said panel member for engagement with said bar flange, saidpanel member in addition having a lanced loop integrally formedtherewith and juxtaposed to said lanced tab but spaced therefrom as tolie generally on the other side of said bar, said lanced loop beingspaced from the adjacent surface of said panel member, a slide memberinserted between said loop and said panel member, said slide memberbeing positioned for movement thereof toward and away from said lancedtab, said slide member being movable to a position of engagement withsaid bar flange on the opposite side of said bar relative to said tab tosecure said panel member to said bar, and fastening means for securingsaid slide member to said lanced loop when so engaged to preventdisengagement of said slide member from said bar flange.

During the foregoing discussion, various objects, features andadvantages of the invention have been alluded to. These and otherobjects, features and advantages of the invention, together withstructural details thereof will be elaborated upon during theforthcoming description of presently preferred embodiments of theinvention and presently preferred methods of practicing the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain presently preferredembodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain presentlypreferred methods of practicing the same, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partial top isometric view of a light fixture having thesupport means of my invention integrally formed therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view showing a modified support means of theinvention and its engaged relationship with a T-bar or the like formingpart of a suspended ceiling;

FIGURE 3 is a portial bottom isometric view of the light fixture shownin FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of another form of my novel support meansformed on a panel of elongated light fixtures;

FIGURE 5 is a partial isometric view of the central portion of thesupport means of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of still other forms of my novel supportmeans.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and initially to FIGURESl-3 thereof the exemplary form of my invention shown therein isconstructed largely integrally with a light fixture 10 or the like.Although a light fixture 10 is shown for purposes of illustrating theinvention, it will be readily apparent as this description proceeds thatmy novel support means can be formed integrally with other items such aselectrical busways for suspending from the grid work of a suspensiontype ceiling or with an independent mounting plate or panel, the otherside of which is provided with hooks or other fastening means forsecuring items to the ceiling.

In this arrangement of the invention the upper surface 12 of the lightfixture 10 (which upper surface usually is planar) is provided with apair of spaced lanced tabs 14 and 16. In this example the tabs 14, 16are formed respectively adjacent the end portions of the elongated lightfixture and displaced on either side of the longitudinal axis of the toppanel or surface 12 of the fixture 10. The tabs 14, 16 thus arepositioned to engage and overlie the respective adjacent portions ofstrengthening flanges 18 and 20 of a T-bar 22 or the like forming partof the grid work usually provided for a suspension type ceiling.

Thus, in the installation of the light fixture 10 the latter is firstgenerally aligned with the T-bar 22 and then is slightly rotatably orangularly displaced therefrom preferably about a point adjacent thecentral region of the elongated fixture 10 so that the free edges 24 ofthe lanced tabs 14, 16 will first clear the outermost or free edges 26of the strengthening flanges 18, 20. Then, the upper panel 12 of thelight fixture 10 is pressed against the undersurface 28 of the T-bar 22as better shown in FIGURE 3 and the light fixture is again angularlydisplaced but in the opposite direction to realign the light fixture 10with the longitudinal axis of the T-bar 22. This latter movement causesthe lanced tabs 14, 16 to slip over the adjacent upper surfaces 30, 32of the flanges 18, 20 until the inwardly facing free or leading edges 24of the lanced tabs 14, 16 desirably abut the adjacent sides respectivelyof vertical web plate 34 forming part of the T-bar 22. Such abutmentassures perfect alignment of the light fixture 10 with the T-bar 22 andis of especial importance when installing a row or ribbon of such lightfixtures.

The light fixture 10 or the like is now temporarily secured to the T-bar22, and the hands of the single workman employed for the installationare free to permanently secure the light fixture 10 to the T-bar 22without assistance. However, before making such permanent securance anduntil the remaining members of my novel support means are tightened, thelight fixture 10 desirably is pushed or urged in the longitudinaldirection of the T-bar 22 and against the preceding light fixture (notshown), if the light fixtures are being installed in a ribbon formation,in order to attain a closely fitting or abutting engagement between theindividual fixtures of the ribbon.

Cooperating with the lanced tabs 14, 16 are a pair of slide members 36,28 mounted on the upper surface of the fixture panel 12 in juxtaposedrelation respectively to the lanced tabs 14, 16. The slide plates 36, 38desirably are fitted under lanced loop members 40, 42 which are thusformed integrally with the panel 12. The lanced loop members arelikewise juxtaposed respectively to the lanced tabs 14, 16 and desirablyare of suflicient width between their lanced edges 44 and 46respectively as better shown in FIGURE 1 to guide the slide plates 36,38 in their movements toward and away from the lanced tabs 14, 16respectively.

Suitable fastening means such as a round headed bolt 48 are insertedthrough a central aperture 49 of each of the lanced loops 40, 42 andalso through an elongated slot 50 of the associated slide plates 36 or38. Desirably as shown in FIGURE 2 the bolts 48 are provided with asquare, keyed configuration 52 which keyingly fits within the slots 50or in the aforementioned loop aperture 49 or both as desired to preventturning of the bolts 48 when the wing nuts 54 thereof (FIGURE 3) aretightened.

When the light fixture 10 has been positioned in alignment with theT-bar 22 and desirably in abutting engagement of its vertical web 34with the leading edges 24 of the lanced tabs, the slide plates 36, 38(with the wing nuts 54 loosened) are slid through the associated loops40, 42 toward the juxtaposed lanced tabs 14, 16 and over the uppersurfaces 30, 32 of the T-bar flanges 18, 20, desirably until the leadingedges 56 of the slide plates also engage the T-bar web member 34. Withthe lanced tab edges 24 and the slide plate edges 56 thus supportinglyoverlying the adjacent portions of the T-bar upper surfaces 18, 20 anddesirably but not necessarily in engagement with the T-bar web 34, thewing nuts 54 are tightened to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of theslide plates 36, 38 and to secure the light fixture 10 to the T-bar 22.Desirably to facilitate slipping the end edges 56 of the slide platesover the associated edge portions 26 of the T-bar flanges 18, 20 the endedges 56 of the slide plates 36, 38 desirably are up-turned as denotedby reference characters 58.

As better shown in FIGURE 3 the aforedescribed installation of the lightfixture can be made from the underside of the light fixture, inasmuch asvisual access at all times to the T-bar 22 is not essential. Moreover,such installation can be made in most cases after the suspension ceilingis completely installed without removal of the fibrous or plastic panelswhich are usually suspended between the T-bars such as T-bars 22 andwhich are laid upon the upper surfaces 30, 32 of the T-bar flanges.Therefore when engaging the lanced tabs 14, 16 of the light fixture 10or the like, manual pressure of the light fixture against the T-bar 22causes the lanced tabs to raise the associated ceiling panelssufficiently to permit the lanced tabs to be slipped over the T-barflanges 18, 20. To prevent scratching of the suspension ceiling panelsthe leading edges 24 of the lanced tabs can be rounded. On the otherhand the presence of the lanced retaining loops 40, 42 of the slideplates 36, 38 displaces the associated ceiling panels sufiicienly toprovide freedom of movement of the slide plates 36, 38 when installingthe light fixture 10. Obviously, the ceiling panels can first beremoved, when desired.

As better shown in FIGURE 3 the use of the lanced guide loops 40, 42 forthe slide plates 36, 38 also provides sufficient access for the Workmansfingers to move the slide plates 36, 38 from their chain-outline, openpositions 59 (FIGURE 1) to their solid outline position (FIG- URES l and2) whereupon the wing nuts 54 are tightened. Moreover, theaforementioned finger access and the further visual access to adjacentedge portions 26 of the T-bar 22 as they are inserted under the lancedtabs 14, 16 described above, permit the workman to precisely ascertainthe position of the light fixture It} with relation to the T-bar 22 asan aid in making the installation. Furthermore, index marks as denotedby arrows 60 and 62 can be embossed in the lighting fixture panel 12 atpositions respectively adjacent the lanced tabs 14, 16 to denote thealignment position of the light fixture 10 with respect to a given widthof T-bar 22. In the event that different widths of T-bars will beencountered, a series of index marks (not shown) can be so provided. Theuse of index marks such as the indices 60, 62 are additionally useful inthose applications of the invention wherein the lanced tabs 14, 16 arenot of suflicient length to engage the Web member 34 of the T-bar 22.

The lanced loops 40, 42 can be variously positioned between the adjacentedges 26 respectively of the T-bar 22 and the lateral edges 64respectively of th light fixture panel 12. For example in thearrangement of my suspending means as shown in FIGURES 13 the lancedloops 49, 42 are positioned with their inward edges 44a, 46a (FIGURE 1)disposed so as to abut the outer edges 26 of the T-bar flanges 18, 20.This arrangement of the lanced loops 40, 42 can also serve as alignmentmeans for positioning the light fixture 10 as aforesaid with respect tothe T-bar 22. In this arrangement of the lanced loops 40, 42 the lancedtabs 14, 16 are displaced somewhat farther above the adjacent surface ofthe light fixture panel 12 so that the light fixture can be slightlymisaligned or angularly displaced to engage initially the leading edges24 of the lanced tabs with the upper surfaces of the T-bar flanges 18,while the upper surfaces'of the lanced loops 40, 42 temporarily engagethe undersurface 28 of the T-bar 22.

If desired, the base 66 (FIGURE 1) or line of securance of each lancedcan be extended outwardly and laterally of the T-bar 22 shown in chainoutline in FIG- URE 1 to impart a spring action to the lanced tabs 14a,16a so that the panel 12 snaps in against the inner surface of the T-bar22 when the inward edges 44a, 46a of the lanced loops 40, 42 thereofclear the outward edges 26 of the T-bar 22. The leading edges thereofcan be upturned (not shown) similar to the up-turned edges 58 of theslide plates 36, 38, to facilitate clearing the lateral edges 26 of theT-bar 22. With the disposition of the lanced loop edges 44a, 46a asshown in FIGURES 1-3 it is not necessary that the leading edges 24 ofthe lanced tabs abut the web plate 34 of the T-bar to serve as an indexfor proper alignment of the light fixture 10.

As better shown in FIGURE 1 the lanced tabs 14a, 16a can be elongated toaccommodate a T-bar having Wider flanges (not shown) or to impart aspring action to the tabs 14a, 16a to aid in gripping the T-bar flanges18, 20 until the slide plates 36, 38 can be secured. In the latter caseit is contemplated that the leading edges 24a be upturned (not shown).

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings a modified arrangementof my suspending means is illustrated which is particularly useful forsuspending an extremely long fixture such as the fixture 10' orelectrical busway (not shown) or the like. In the latter arrangement ofmy invention the fixture panel 12 is provided with lanced tabs 14', 16and with slide plates 36, 38' in the manner described previously. Inthis arrangement the lanced loops 4%, 42 are spaced laterally outwardlyfrom the adjacent edges 26 of the T-bar flanges. Such spacing issutficient, as evident from FIGURE 4 to allow for the initialmisalignment of the light fixture 10' relative to the T-bar 22' so thatthe lanced tabs 14, 16' can be engaged over the upper surfaces 30, 32 ofT-bar flanges 18, 20. Thus, the lanced tabs 14, 16' need not bedisplaced from the upper surface of the light fixture 12' farther thanrequired from the thickness of the T-bar flanges 18', 20. It will beunderstood of course that the spatial arrangement of the lanced loopsset forth thus far with reference to FIGURE 4 can be incorporated inplace of the spatial arrangement of the lanced loops of FIGURES 1-3.

In order to support the intermediate or middle portion of the elongatedfixture 10 additional supporting members are incorporated with mysupport means for engaging the T-bar 22 intermediately of the tabs 14,16 and their associated slide plates 36, 38. The last-mentionedsupporting members likewise can be operated by a single workman from theunder or exposed side of the fixture 10'.

In this arrangement of my invention the aforementioned supportingmembers include a pair of juxtaposed slide plates 72, 74 each of whichis inserted under an associated lanced guiding loop 76 or 78. Thus, theintermediate and juxtaposed slide plates 72, 74 can be initiallywithdrawn to their chain outline positions until the lanced tabs 14, 16'are engaged as aforesaid and the light fixture 10 is again realignedwith the T-bar 22. The lanced tabs 14', 16 are suflicient to supporteven the long fixture 10 until the slide plates 36, 38 and theintermediate slide plates 72, 74 can be moved into engagement with theT-bar 22' and secured by their associated fastening means. Partialengagement of the intermediate slide plates 72, 74 and theirrelationship with the T-bar 22 are shown more clearly in FIGURE 5 of thedrawings. The slide plates 72, 74 and the guiding loops 76, 78 and thefastening means 48' associated therewith are all generally similar tothe slide plates 36', 38' and their associated components respectively,as shown in FIGURE 4. The operation of the slide plates 36, 38' and 72,74 is similar to that described heretofor in connection with FIGURES 1-3of the drawings.

- Another arrangement of my novel suspending means is illustrated inFIGURE 6 of the drawings. In the latter arrangement the fixture 10' isprovided with lanced tabs 80 and 82 which are disposed in this exampleat the same side of the T-bar web 34'. In consequence lanced loops 84and 86 for slide plates 88 and 90 are both disposed on the other side ofthe T-bar 22'. In the latter arrangement of the invention the fixture10' is not angularly displaced relative to the T-bar 22' but islaterally displaced to a position parallel therewith to engage thelanced tabs 80, 82. It is contemplated that the panel 12' can befabricated with such structural rigidity that the tabs 80, 82 lancedtherefrom will not bend under the weight of the fixture until the slideplates 88, 90 can be engaged with the other flange 18 of the T-bar 22'.On the other hand where the panel 12 is not of sufficient thickness itwill be readily apparent that the fixture 10 can be initially stabilizedafter engaging the tabs 80, 82 with one hand and the slide plate 88 or90 engaged with the other hand, whereupon the fixture will betemporarily supported until the other slide plate 88 or 90 is likewiseengaged.

Each of the tab and slide arrangements 80, 88 or 82, 90 can befabricated, assembled, and otherwise operated as set forth above inconnection with the lanced tabs 14, 16 and their associated slide plates36, 38.

In the event that a much longer fixture 10' is to be installed andrequires additional support adjacent the midpoint thereof an additionallanced tab and slide plate arrangement can be provided adjacent suchmidpoint of the fixture as denoted by chain outlines 92 and 94respectively of the additional lanced tab and slide plate together withassociated components, as illustrated in FIG- URE 6.

As noted previously, it is also contemplated that the aforedescribedlanced tabs, slide plates and other components of my support means canbe formed substantantially integrally with fixtures other than a lightfixture, for example on the upper flat surfaces of certain types ofelectrical busways or race ways. It is also contemplated that one ormore of my lanced tab and slide plate combinations can be formed on theupper surface of a suitably shaped supporting plate, or independentpanel member, such as the plate indicated by chain outline 96 of FIGURE6, and one or more conventional books, supporting brackets, or the like(not shown) can be mounted on the underside of the supporting plate.Thus, it will be seen that the novel features of my invention can beapplied directly to a panel or plate normally provided with a lightfixture or the like or can be formed on a separate supporting ormounting plate for suspending those items such as pipes and drapery rodswhich are not normally provided with a plate portion.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that novel and eflicient forms ofsuspending means have been disclosed herein. While I have shown anddescribed certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention andhave illustrated presently preferred methods of practicing the same itis to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limitedthereto.

I claim:

1. Support means securable to a flanged bar and the like, said supportmeans comprising a panel member having at least one lanced tabintegrally formed therewith and displaced from the adjacent surface ofsaid panel member for engagement with said bar flange upon securance ofsaid support means to said bar, said panel member in addition having alanced loop integrally formed therewith and juxtaposed to said lancedtab but spaced therefrom as to lie generally on the other side of saidbar when said support means are so secured, said lanced loop beingspaced from the adjacent surface of said panel member, said slide memberbeing positioned for movement thereof toward and away from said lancedtab, said slide member being movable to a position of engagement withsaid bar flange on the opposite side of said bar relative to said tab tosecure said panel member to said bar, and fastening means for securingsaid slide member to said lanced loop and against further movement whenso engaged to prevent disengagement of said slide member from said barflange.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the panel member iselongated and a pair of said lanced tabs are formed respectivelyadjacent the ends of said panel member, and a lanced loop and insertedslide member are juxtaposed to each of said lanced tabs.

3. The combination according to claim 2 where the lanced tabs aredisposed respectively on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of saidpanel member so that said tabs can engage opposite sides of said bar totemporarily secure said panel member to said bar, and the lanced loopand slide member associated with each of said lanced tabs are disposedat the opposite sides of said bar member when so positioned.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said panel member isformed integrally with a fixture.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said lanced loop ispositioned so that its inward edge engages the adjacent edge of said barmember flange at the secured position of said panel member.

6. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the leading edges ofsaid lanced tabs engage a web member of said flanged bar and inwardedges of said lanced loops engage an outer edge of said flange at thesecured position of said panel member to said panel member therewith.

7. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the inward edges of saidlanced loops engage the adjacent outer edges of said bar flanges to aidin aligning said panel member therewith.

'8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the leading edges ofthe lanced tabs additionally engage said bar member to positively alignsaid panel member with said bar member.

9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said tabs are lancedlaterally outwardly of said bar member when said panel member is alignedtherewith to lend a spring action to said tabs and to cause said panelmember to snap in against said bar when said bar clears said lancedloops.

10. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said panel member is anintegral part of an elongated fixture.

11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein said tabs and saidslide members are respectively positioned adjacent the ends of saidfixture, a pair of juxtaposed lanced loops are formed in said panelmember adjacent the midpoint thereof and adjacent the sides respectivelyof said bar when aligned with said panel member, and a pair ofadditional slide members are inserted under said lanced loopsrespectively and are movable toward said bar to engage flanges atopposite sides thereof, and additional fastening means are provided forsecuring said slides to said additional lanced loops when said slidemembers are so engaged.

12. The combination according to claim 10 wherein an additional lancedtab and an additional lanced loop and inserted slide member are providedon said panel adjacent the midpoint thereof to support the midportion ofsaid fixture, all of said lanced tabs including said additional lancedtab being disposed adjacent the same side of said bar member.

13. The combination according to claim 2 wherein index marks areembossed on the underside of said panel member adjacent the openingsfrom which said tabs have been lanced to facilitate alignment of saidpanel member with portions of said bar visible through said lancedopenmgs.

14. Support means securable to a flanged bar and the like, said meanscomprising a panel member having a lanced tab and a lanced loopintegrally formed therewith in spaced juxtaposition at opposite sides ofsaid bar, upon securance of said support means, said lanced loop andsaid lanced tab being spaced from adjacent surfaces of said panelmember, a slide member inserted between said loop and said panel memberand positioned for movement toward and away from said lanced tab, saidslide member being movable to a position of overlapping 9 engagementwith an adjacent bar flange, said tab being engageable with a bar flangeon the opposite side of said bar relative to said slide member, andfastening means for securing said slide member to said lanced loop whenso engaged to prevent disengagement of said slide member from saidadjacent bar flange.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Kindorf et a1. 287189.35 X=RPrice 248-228 Stoll 248228 Karth 248343 XR Schneller 2'87189.35

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner J. FRANKLIN FOSS, Assistant Examiner1/1866 Childs 292-145 52-39; 248--228 U.S. Cl. X.R.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3,4S9,399 August 5 1969 William R. Everson It is certified that errorappears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1 line 18 cancel "and said lanced loop". Column line 41 "28"should read 38 Column 6 line 2 after "2 insert When using the lancedtabs 14a, 16a same line 2 "The", second occurrence should read the line35 afte "loops" insert as Signed and sealed this 19th day of May 1970(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, IR

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

